WEST END HOUSE GALLERY

CONTACT

girls@westendhousegallery.co.uk westendhousegallery.co.uk 2westendgirls westendhousegallery Set in the heart of beautiful, historic Smarden, West End House is a contemporary gallery showing original artworks including paintings, prints, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery and glass. It is run by two local artists, Karen Papworth and Patricia Hawkins.

The gallery holds three to four themed exhibitions a year and, at all other times, has an eclectic mixed display showcasing work by gallery artists and makers. The space is warm and friendly with inspiring work at all prices. Everyone is welcome and the gallery is fully accessible to people with disabilities, including wheelchair users.

Patricia Hawkins (Pia) specialises in fused glass. When asked one day if she knew of anyone who would like to take over the gallery, she was straight on the phone to Karen Papworth.

Karen Papworth (Spike) graduated from Kingston with a First in Fine Art. Following a fantastic career in advertising, she decided it was time to use her art training and take on a new challenge, like run a gallery perhaps. One Sunday she received an over excited phone call from a mad woman she barely knew asking if she wanted to take over the West End House Gallery. The rest, as they say, is history and 10 years later they have made the gallery their own, have the privilege of taking part in The Affordable Art Fair in Battersea each year and have become firm friends. They get to share the absolute delight of selling artworks on behalf of their wonderful artists to equally wonderful customers.

The icing on the cake recently has been winning the Best Art Gallery in Kent award at the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2021. This came as a lovely surprise following a tough eighteen months and is testament to the support the gallery receives locally, particularly from the amazing people of Smarden.

Artwork Top row: Libby Gooch, Melvyn Evans Bottom row: Karen Birchwood, Midori Takaki